9, 11-dihalogeno substituted steroids of the androstane series



United States Patent 3,026,339 9,11-DIHALOGENO SUBSTITUTED STEROIDS OF THE ANDROSTANE SERIES David H. Gould, Leonia, and Cecil H. Robinson, Clifton, N.J., assignors to Schering Corporation, Bloomfield, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed June 1, 1959, Ser. No. 817,070 20 Claims. (Cl. 260397.45)

This invention relates to novel and therapeutically useful halogenated steroids and to methods for their manufacture. In particular, this invention relates to '9a,l1;3- dihalogenated derivatives of androstane which exhibit valuable anabolic and androgenic properties.

Our novel compounds are androstanes represented by the following formula, and their 19-nor analogs:

wherein W is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine and methyl; X and Y are halogen; Z is a member of the group consisting of O, (H,,6OR) and lower alkyl, (50R) wherein R is a member of the group consisting of H and acyl; and A may be hydrogen or lower alkyl. The bond designated by a wavy in the above formula indicates that the substituent at the l6-carbon may be in an a or S-position.

Illustrative of the 17/3-acyl groups in the 17B-acyloxy derivatives contemplated by our invention are lower aikanoates such as acetate, propionate, B-cyclopentylpropionate, caproate, valerate, t-butylacetate and the like. The term lower alkanoate thus includes acid radicals of monocarboxylic aliphatic acids containing up to eight carbon atoms.

By lower alkyl we include groups having up to four carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and t-butyl.

Typical dihalogenated androstanes encompassed by our invention are 90:, 11 8-dichloroandrostane-3,l7-dione, 6a, 1 lfl-difiuoro-9a-chloroandrostane-3,17-clione, 6a-methyl-9u-brorno-l 113-fluoroandrostane-3,17-dione, 9a-bromo-1l,S-chloroandrostane-17fi-o1-3-one 17,8-

propionate, 6a-fluoro-9a,1lfi-dichloro-androstane-17fi-ol-3-one, 6ot-m8thyl9a,1 1 B-dichlorol9-norandrostane-3, 17 -dione, 9u-bromo-l 1 fi-fluoro-l 6u-methylandrostane-17 3-ol-3-one, 9a,1 1 ,B-dichlorod 6,8-methyl-androstane-3 ,17-dione, 9a-bromo-l lB-fluoro-l6B-methylandrostane-17,8-ol- 3-one, 9m-bromo'l l S-fluoro-l9-norandrostane-17B-ol-3 -one, 9a,1 1 fi-dichloro-17a-methyl-androstane- 175-01-3 -one, 9a,1 lB-dichloro-l7a-methyl-l9-norandrostane-17-5-01- 3-one l75-propionate, 6a,17u-dirnethyl-9a-brom0-1 1 Bfluoroandrostane-UB- 01-3-one, 9a-fiUOrO-l 1 ,S-chlorol7a-methylandrostane-l7fl-ol-3 -one and the like.

Our novel compounds, while possessing both anabolic and androgenic properties, have a very high anabolic to androgenic activity ratio, and are thus therapeutically valuable for the treatment of disorders requiring high anabolic activity with a minimum of concomitant androgenic effects. Our halogenated androstanes are therefore useful in the treatment of geriatric disorders, metabolic imbalance in children, debilitating diseases, .severe infections, as well as post-surgical therapy. Our compounds are advantageously used in place of anabolic/ androgenic agents used in known anabolic/androgenic pharmaceutical preparations. They are preferably administered orally in the form of tablets, capsules, and the like in dosages ranging from 0.5 mg. to 20 mg. depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the illness.

All the androstanes encompassed by the above formula and their l9-nor analogs are valuable anabolic agents, the preferred species being those compounds possessing a 17B-hydroxy group (i.e. both the Nor-hydrogen and l7a-alkyl analogs) and particularly the 9a-bromo-ll;3- fluoro, Qa-bromo-llfl-chloro, and the :,11fl-di6h1010 analogs thereof.

Our 9a,1l;8-diha1ogenated androstanes are generally prepared by reacting a 9(11)-androstene-3,l7-dione or a 9(1l)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one or a l7u-methyl-9(11)- androstene-l7 3-ol-3-one and the corresponding 19-nor analogs with a suitable halogenating agent. Our starting compounds are represented by A -androstenes such as 9 11 -androstene-3, l7-dione, 6a-fluoro-9(1l)-androstene-3,17-dione, 6a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3 ,17-dione, 16a-methyl-9 1 1 -androstene-3 ,17-dione, l6fl-methyl-9( 1 1 -androstene-17B-ol-3-one,

9 1 1 -androstene- 17,8-01-3 -one,

6a-fiuoro-9( 1 1 -androstene- 17 fi-ol-3-one, 6u-methyl-9 l1)-androstene-l7B-ol-3-one, 17a-methyl-9(1l)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one, 6a,17 x-dimethyl-9( 1 1)-androstene-l7B-ol-3-one, 6a-fiuoro-17u-methyl-9( 1 1 )-androstene 1713-01-3 -one including the 19-nor analogs of the foregoing as well as the 17,8-acylates of the compounds containing a 17- hydroxyl group. i

The starting materials thus necessarily possess a A bond; and in the case of 9(11)-androstene-3,l7-dione, its preparation is described in the literature. The other aforementioned starting substances are prepared by a combination of processes analogous to known procedures. For example,.6a-methyl-9(ll)-androstene-3,17-dione is prepared from 6a-methyl-4,9 1 1 -androstadiene-3,17- dione by selectively reducing the A -bond by means of reagents such as lithium in liquid ammonia and catalytic hydrogenation with noble metal catalysts such as palladium, platinum and the like. Other 9(11)-androstenes which are similarly prepared from their A -analogs includes compounds such as 9(11)-androstene-17,8-ol-3-one, 6a-rnethyl-9(11)-androstene-17/3-ol-3-one, 19-nor-9 l l -androstene- -01-3 -one, 6u-methyl-19-nor-9 l 1)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one, afiuoro-lh-methyhl9-nor-9 1 1 )-androstene-17fi-ol- -one,

6uZ117a-dimethyl-19-nor-9(1 1 -androstene-1718-ol-3-one an u-fiuoro-l7a-methyl-l9-nor 9(1 1 )-androstene-17fi-ol- 3-one.

I A 9(ll)-dehydro-androstane intermediate may also be prepared from a A -l lB-hydroxyandrostane such as 6ozfiuoro-4-androstene-ilfi-ol-3,17-dione by dehydration of the llfi-hydroxy group as effected by reagents such as methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of pyridine or phosphorus oxychloride in pyridine to form the M androstadiene, i.e. 6a-fiuoro-4,9(l1)-androstadiene-3,l7- dione, with subsequent selective hydrogenation at C-4 and (3-5 by the aforementioned techniques to yield the requisite starting compound, exemplified by 6u-fil10l0-9(ll)- androstene-3,l7-dione. By following a similar sequence of reactions, 19-nor-9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione and 6oc-flUOI'O-19-I1OI-9 1 1 -androstene-3,17-dione are prepared from their corresponding M-llB-hydroxy derivatives.

An lla-hydroxy compound such as 17 a-methyl-19-nor- 4-androstene-l1a,17;3-diol-3one is also convertible to a 9(11)-dehydro starting compound such as Nor-methyl- 19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one through an Ila-Sillfonate ester such as the lla-p-toluenesulfonate which is prepared by known esterification techniques and which is subsequently dehydrated by, for example, an ethanolic solution of sodium formate, followed by the selective reduction of the A -bond by procedures described heretofore.

A starting compound containing a secondary hydroxyl group at Cl7 such as 9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one is conveniently converted to the corresponding 17fi-ester by known techniques such as that utilizing an acid anhydride in pyridine, for example, propionic anhydride in pyridine, to yield 9(11)-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one 17fi-propionate and 17a methyl 9(11) androstene-17/3-ol-3-one l7fl-propionate. With androstanes containing a tertiary hydroxyl group at C-17, for example, 17a-methyl-19- nor-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one, the 17-ester (he. l7a-methyl-19-nor-9'(11)-androstene 17,3 ol-3-one-17/S- propionate) is obtained by heating together a mixture of the hydroxylated androstane and an acid anhydride such as propionic anhydride preferably without a solvent, although inert solvents such as toluene or benzene may be employed. By substituting other acid anhydrides such as acetic or cyclopentylpropionic anhydride for propionic anhydride in the above procedures the corresponding 1718- acylates are obtained. Typical starting esters prepared as described above are 6u-fiuor'o-9(1l)-androstene-l7B-ol 3-one 17/3-propionate, 6e-methyl-9( 11)-androstene-17;9- ol-3-one 17,8-propionate, 19-nor-9( 11)-androstene-l7[iol-3-one 17,8-propionate, 6a-flu0ro-19-nor-9( 1 1 -androstene-17,8-ol-3one 17fl-propionate, 6a-methyl 19 nor- 9(11)-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one 17,8-acetate, 17u-methyl- 19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17fi ol 3 one 17,8-propionate, 6u-fiuoro-17u-methyl-19-nor 9(11) androstene-17fi-o1- 3-one 17B-propionate, and 6a,l7u-dimethyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one 17fl-propionatet The above-mentioned esterification procedures are also useful in converting 90:,1lfl-dihalogeno-17,8-hydroxy androstanes of our invention to their corresponding 17- esters. I For example, 90c-Cl1lOIO-1lfl-flllOIOHIldI'OStBJlfi- 17,8-ol-3-0ne when reacted with propionic acid in pyridine is converted to 9a-chloro 1lfl-fiuoroandrostane- 17fi-ol-3-one 1713-propionate.

Alternatively, a 9(11)-dehydro intermediate compound such as 4,9(11)-androstadiene-17fi-ol-3-one 1713- pr'opionate or a 90,1l/3-(lih3l0g6113tt3d androstane such as 601,115-difil1010 9oz bromoandrostane-17,8-ol-3-one 17B- propionate containing a 17fi-acyloxy group are hydrolyzed to their respective 17-hydroxyl groups by means of reagents such as methanolic aqueous sodium hydroxide or when hydrolyzing the halogenated compounds with 027 normal methanolic perchloric acid. 7

A 17-keto-9(l=1)-dehydro intermediate such as 6ozfiuoro-19-nor-4,9( l1)-androstadiene-3,17-dione is convertible to the17-hydroxylated starting compound, 60..- fluoro-19-nor-9(1l)-androstene3-one by conversion of the 17-ketone group to the 17-hydrcxyl group by empioying microbiological techniques utilizing bakers'yeast according to well known procedures, followed by the selective reduction of the A -bond in the 6a-fluoro-19-nor- 4,9 11 )-androstadiene-17l8-ol-3-one thereby produced.

A 17-keto compound is convertible to the corresponding l7fl-hydroxy-17u-methyl intermediate by reacting a 3,17-diketo starting compound such as 6a-methyl-19-nor- 4,9(11)-androstadiene-3,l7-dione in which the 3-ketone group is protected by a group such as the S-pyrrolidylenamine, with a Grignard reagent such as methyl magnesium bromide by known methods to give 6a,17u-dimethyl- 19-nor-4,9(1l)-androstadienel7fi-ol-3-one, and then selectively reducing the A -bond to yield 6a,17a-dimethyl- 9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one.

To obtain a 6-substituted-9(11)-androstene from an androstane such as 19-nor-4-androstene-11,8-01-3,17- dione, known chemical techniques are employed. Typically, l9-nor-4-androstene-l1,8-ol-3,17-dione is treated with ethylene glycol by known procedures to form the 3,17-bis-ethylene ketal derivative which, in turn is epoxidized to give 5a,6a-epoxy-l9-n0randrostane-175-01-3,17- acid to give 5a,6:x-epoxy-19-norandrostane-11,8-ol-3,17- dione 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal. From this epoxy intermediate both the 6-methyl and 6-fiuoro substituents are introduced into the androstane nucleus. Thus, the action of hydrofluoric acid on the epoxy bis-ethylene ketal intermediate simultaneously hydrolyzes the bis-ethylene ketal groups and opens the epoxy ring to yield 6fi-fluorol9-norandrostane-5a,115-diol-3,17-dione, whereas addition of a Grignard reagent such as methyl magnesium iodide with subsequent hydrolysis yields 6,3-methyl-l9- n0randrostane-5a,11,8-diol-3,l7-dione. A reagent such as ethanolic hydrochloric acid on these 5a-hydroxy-6fi-substituted androstanes simultaneously dehydrates the hydroxy group and epimerizes the 6/3-substituent to yield, respectively, 61!: fluoro 19-nor-4,9(11) androstadiene- 17fi-ol-3-one and 6a methyl 19 nor 4,9(11) androstadiene-17fi-ol-3-one which upon selective reduction of the A -bond with, for example, lithium in liquid ammonia there are produced the necessary 9(11)-dehydro starting compounds, 6a-fll1OIO-19-Il0I-9( 1 1 -andr0stene-17fl-0l-3- one and 6a methyl 19-nor 9(11)-androstene-17fi-0l-3- one, respectively.

The 16-a1kyl-9( 11)-androstene starting compounds are conveniently obtained from 16 alkyl 4,9(11) pregnadiene-intermediates (which are prepared according to procedures described in copending application Serial No. 733,843 of Rausser et al., filed May 8, 1958) by the oxidative degradation of the C-17 side chain to form a 17- keto-4,9(ll)-androstadiene followed by selective reduction of the A -bond by techniques described above. For example, 16a methyl 4,9(11)-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol- 3,20-dione when oxidized with sodium bismuthate by known procedures is converted to 16a-methyl-4,9(l1)- androstadiene-3,17-dione which, when selectively reduced with lithium in liquid ammonia, yields the requisite intermediate, 16a-rnethyl-9( 1 l )-androstene-3,17-dione. The 1 6-alkyl-17-keto-9( 1 1 -dehydroandrostanes thus prepared are conveniently converted to the corresponding 17,9-hydroxy and 17B-hydroxy-17a-lower alkyl analogs according to procedures described heretofore.

As stated heretofore, our 9a,11;3-dihalogeno-androstanes are generally prepared from the above-mentioned 9(11)-androstene intermediates by utilizing halogenating agents under reaction conditions described in Patent No. 2,894,963 and in the copending application, Serial No. 817,048 of Gould et al., filed on June 1, 1959, and of Serial No. 817,079 of Robinson, filed June 1, 1959 Intermediates, other than the 9(11)-dehydroandrostanes are also advantageously used to prepare our halogenated androstanes by employing techniques as outlined in the copending application Serial No. 817,048 of Gould et al.,

led June 1, 1959. For example, 9a-fiuoro-l7a-methyl- 4-androstene-1718-ol-3Jl-dione is convertible to 9c:- fluoro 11 8 chloro-17a-methylandrostane-17,3-ol-3-one, a novel compound of our invention, through a sequence of reactions wherein the A -l1-keto starting compound is reduced with lithium in liquid ammonia, for example, to form the intermediate 9ocruoro-l7a-methylandrostane- 11a,l7;3-diol-3-one which is esterified in pyridine with a sulfonic acid chloride such as methyl sulfonyl chloride to form 9a-fiuoro-17a-methylandrostane-1la,17fi-diol-3- one lla-methylsulfonate. Replacement of the sulfonated ester with chlorine is effected by means of a reagent mixture such as lithium chloride in dimethylsulfoxide to give 9a-fluoro-l1B-chloro 17a methylandrostane 17B ol- 3-one.

The following examples are illustrative of the procedures employed in preparing the compounds of this invention but are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof; the scope of our invention being limited only by the appended claims.

EXAMPLE 1 9a,] 1 lS-Dich lroandrostane-3 ,1 7-Di0ne To a stirred solution of 1 g. of 9(ll)-androstene-3,l7- dione in 40 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.8 ml. of pyridine is added at 20 C. a solution of 275 mg. of chlorine in 3 ml. of carbon tetrachloride. The reaction mixture is stirred at 20 C. for 15 minutes and then allowed to warm to room temperature during a further 15 minute interval. About 15 ml. of methylene chloride is then added and the resulting solution is washed successively with sodium thiosulfate solution, water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with water, then is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 9a,1lB-dichloroandrostane-Z:,l7-dione.

EXAMPLE 2 6 u,] Ifl-Diflu0r0-9a-ChIoroandrostane-3,17-Di0ne A. 6st flu0r0-4,9(11)-androstadiene-3,17-dione.-To a stirred solution of 2 g. of 6a-fluoro-4-androstene-llfi-ol- 3,17-dione in 20 ml. of dimethylformamide and 2 ml. of pyridine, cooled to 0 C., is added 1.50 g. of methanesulfonyl chloride. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, then diluted with water and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extracts are combined, washed with 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water and is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is dissolved in methylene chloride and chromatographed on a column of Florisil. The fractions eluted with 6075% ether-in-hexane are combined and concentrated in vacuo to give 6a-fluoro- 4,9 l l androstadiene-3 l7-dione.

B. 6a-flzi0r0-9(11)-andr0stene-3,17-dione.A solution of 2 g. of 6u-fluoro-4,9(ll)-androstadiene-3,l7-dione (the compound of Example 2A) in 70 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added rapidly with vigorous stirring to a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia. Any excess lithium (as evidenced by a blue solution color) is immediately destroyed by adding solid ammonium chloride until the blue color is discharged. The ammonia and tetrahydrofuran are allowed to evaporate at room temperature, water is added to the resultant residue and the mixture is extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to yield a crude product substantially of 6a-fluoro-9(ll)-androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one. This material is immediately dis solved in 30 ml. of acetone, cooled to 10 C., and there is added dropwise a chromium trioxide-sulfuric reagent (prepared as described by Curtis et al., J. Chem. Soc, 461 (1953)) until a prominent orange color develops. The reaction mixture is then diluted with water and filtered. The solid precipitate is washed with water, dried and crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 60:.- fluoro-9( l1)-anclrostene-3,17-dione.

C. 641,1],8 diflzzoro9m-chloroandrostane-3,l7-di0ne.-- To a stirred solution of l g. of 6a-fiuoro-9(ll)-androstene-3,l7-dione (the compound of Example 2B) in 30 ml of carbon tetrachloride and 5.4 ml. of pyridine, cooled to 25 C., is added a solution of 730 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 2.3 ml. of dimethylformamide followed by 480 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide. The reaction mixture is stirred at 25 C. for minutes and then at room temperature for hours. The reaction to evaporate at room temperature.

mixture is then diluted with ml. of methylene chloride and poured into 200 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution with vigorous stirring. The solvent layers are separated and the organic phase is washed with 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water, is dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The methylene chloride solution is distilled in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 6a,1l,B-difiuoro-9a-chloroandrostane-3,l7-dione.

EXAMPLE 3 6a-Methyl-9a-Bromo-l 1 fi-F l uoromzdrostane-3 ,1 7-D ione A. 6a-methyl-9(11 androstene 3,17 dione.Two grams of 6a-methyl-4,9(l1)-androstadiene-3,l7-dione are dissolved in 80 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 450 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-methyl-9( l1)-androstene-3,l7-dione.

B. (fa-methyl 9a bromo-l16-flu0r0andr0stane-3J7- dz'one.To a stirred solution of l g. of 6a-methyl-9(1l)- androstene-3,l7-dione (the compound of Example 3A) in 50 ml. of diethylacetic acid contained in a polyethylene bottle there is added at room temperature a solution of 1.27 g. of hydrogen fluoride in 5 ml. of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran solution 1:2), followed by 502' mg. of N-bromoacetamide. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 17 hours and is then poured into 500 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The mixture is extracted with methylene chloride and the extracts washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from ether-hexane to give 6a-meth3 l-9a-bromo-llfip fluoroandrostane-3,l7-dione.

A. 9(11)arzdrostene-I7/3-0l-3-0ne.0ne gram of 4, 9(11)androstadiene-l7B-ol-3-one is dissolved in 25 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and added rapidly with vigorous stirring to a solution of 300 mg. of lithium in ml. of liquid ammonia. Any excess lithium is destroyed immediately by adding solid ammonium chloride until the blue color is discharged and the mixture is then allowed Water is added to the resultant residue and the mixture extracted with methylene chloride. The organic extracts are combined, washed with water and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 9(11)- androstene-l7/3-ol-3-on.

B. Qm-chlorO-I 1,8 fluoroandrostane-Z7fi-0l-3-0ne.500 mg. of 9(ll)androStene-l7B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 4A) is allowed to react with 257 mg. of N- chlorosuccinimide and 350 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in the manner of Example 2C. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9a-chloro-1 l fi-fiuoroandrostane-176-01-3-one.

EXAMPLE 5 9a-Chl0r0-11 ,B-Fluoroandrostane-l 7 fl-0l-3-0ne 1 7fi-Propionate A. 9(11 )-andr0stene-1 7fi-ol-3-one 17,8-pr0pi0nate.To a solution of l g. of 9(ll)androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 4A) in 20 ml. of pyridine there is added at room temperature 5 ml. of propionic anhydride and the mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 17 hours. Crushed ice is added and the reaction mixture allowed to slowly attain room temperare. A solid separates which is filtered, washed with water, dried at room temperature and crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 9(ll)-androstene-l7[3-ol-3-one l 7fi-propionate.

Similarly, by substituting other acid anhydrides such as acetic anhydride or cyclopentyl ropionic anhydride for propionic anhydride in the above procedure, the corre- 7 sponding l7-acetate and 175-cyclopentylpropionate respectively of 9(ll)-androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one will be obtained.

B. 90: chloro-lZB-fluoroandrostane-J7,8-01-3-0112 175- propionate.9(l1) androstene 17,8-01 3 one 17 8- propionate (the compound of Eaxample 5A) is allowed to react with 432 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 590 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in the manner or" Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9a-chloro-1lfi-fluorcandrostane- 17fl-ol-3-one 17,13-propionate.

Alternatively, the compound of this example is prepared from 9a-chloro-llfi-fiuoroandrostane-l7B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 413) by reacting it with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner described in Example 5A to give 9a-chloro-1lfi-fiuoroandrostane-UB-ol- 3-one l7fi-propion'ate.

Similarly, other 175-acylates of the compound of this example may be obtained by substituting anhydrides as acetic anhydride and fi-cyclopentylpropionic anhydride for propionic anhydride in the above procedure to yield respectively the l7-acetate and l7-(fi-cyclopentylpropionate) of 9a-chloro-ll 3fiuoro-17fl-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 6 9a Bromo 11p Chloroandrostane 17fl-0l-3-one 17 ,8- Propionate 6a-Flu0ro-9m,1 I 18-Dichl0roandroStane-1 7,8-01-3 -one A. 6a-flu0ro-4,9(11 )-androsladiene-1718-0l-3-0ne 17f pr0pi0naze.-Two grams of 6a-fiuoro-4-androstene-l1,8, 17,8-diol-3-one l7fi-propionate are dissolved in 26 ml. of dimethylformamide and 2 ml. of pyridine and allowed to react with 1.6 g. of methanesulfonyl chloride in the manner of Example 2A. The resultant product is isolated in the described manner and crystallized from acetoneone l7fl-propionate.

B. 6 a-fluor0-4 ,9 (1 1 -andr0stadiene-I 7;8-0l-3-0ne.-To a solution of 1 g. of 6ot-fiuoro-4,9(l1)-androstadiene-17flol-3-one l7 3-propionate (the compound of Example 7A) in 50 ml. of methanol is added 8.2 ml. of 0.5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 48 hours, then is neutralized with acetic acid and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from methylene chloride-hexane to give 6a-fluoro-4,9( l l )-androstadienel7B-ol3-one.

C. 6u-flu0r0-9(11)-andr0stene-17B-0l-3-0ne.-A solution of 2. g. of 6u-fluoro-4,9(ll)-androstadiene-l7fl-ol-3- one (the compound of Example 7B) in 70ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 mg. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 4A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-fiuoro-9(ll)- androstene-l7 8-ol-3-one.

D. 6d-flu0r0-9a,1Ifl-dichloroandrostane-l 7B-0l-3-0ne.-- In the manner described in'Example 1, one gram of 6u-fluoro-9 (l l -androstene-l7,B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 7C) in 40 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.8 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 256 mg. of chlorine and the resultant product isolated and purified EXAMPLE 8 6 a Flu0r0-9a,1]fi-Dichloroandrostane-I 7 fl-ol-3-one 1 7,8- Propionale A. 6a-flu0r0-9(11)-androstene-17fi-0l-3-one 17B propionate.6u fluoro-9(ll)-androstene-l7 3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 7C) is allowed to react with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner of Example 5A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-iluoro-9(ll)- androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one 17/8-propionate.

B. 600 flame-9a,]lfl-dichloroandrostane-I7,8-0l-3-0ne 17;? propz'onata-One gram of a fluoro-9(ll)-androstene-l7/8-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate (the compound of Example 8A) is allowed to react with 220 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine in the manner of Example 1. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-fluoro- 905,1 lfi-dichloroandrostane-l7fl-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate.

Alternatively, the compound of this example is prepared by reacting 6a-fluoro-9a,1lfi-dichloroandrostanel7B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 7D) with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner described in Example 5A to give 6u-fluoro-9a,llp-dichloroandrostanel7B-ol-3-one l7fl-propionate.

By substituting other lower alkanoic acid anhydrides such as acetic anhydride and valeric anhydride for propionic anhydride in the above procedure, the corresponding 17-lower alkanoates are obtained, i.e. the l7-acetate and 17-valerate respectively of 6a-fiuoro-9a,11B-dichloromidrcstane-l7fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 9 6 a-Methyl-9ot,1 1 fi-Dichloroa ndrostane-l 713-01-3 -0rze A. 6a-methyl-9(11)-andr0stene-175-0l-3-0ne.-A solution of 2 g. of 6tt-methyl-4,9(ll)-androstadienel7fi-ol-3- one in ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner described in Example 4A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give -6a-methyl-9( 11)-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one.

B. 60: methyl :,115 dichloroandrostane 17,8-01-3- 0ne.-To a stirred solution of l g. of 6a-methyl-9(1l)- androstene-l7fl-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 9A) in 50 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.8 m1. of pyridine at 20 C. is added 490 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and a solution of mg. of hydrogen chloride in 1.4 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. Stirring is continued at 20 C. for 15 minutes and the reaction mixture is then allowed to attain room temperature during a further 15 minute interval. 50 m1. of methylene chloride is added and the solution washed successively with aqueous sodium thiosulfate solution, Water, 19% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with water. The solution is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from methylene chloridehexane to give 6a-methyl-9a,llfi-dichloroandrostane-175- ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE l0 described manner to give 6a-methyl-9 l 1)-androstene- -ol-3-one 17fi-propionate. 7

B. 6a-methyl-9 zJ1fi-dichlaroandrostane I7/8'0l-3-0ne ]7,8-propi0nate.--One gram of 6'u-methyl-9(l1)-androstenel7fi-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate is allowed to react with 218 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrahcloride and pyridine in the manner described in Example 1. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-methy1-9u,11B-dichloroandrostane-175-01-3- one-175-propionate.

Alternatively, Got-methyl 90:,1'15 dichloroandrostane- 17,8-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 9) is allowed to react with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner of Example 5A to give 6a-methyl-9a,l1,B-dichloroandros-tane-17/3-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 11 6 oz-M ethy l-9u-I ado-1 1 B-Fluoroandrostane- 17 3-0l-3-0ne 17,8-Prpi0nate One gram of 6a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one 17B-propionate (the compound of Example 10A) dissolved in 50 ml. of diethylacetic acid is placed in a polyethylene bottle at room temperature and there is added a solution of 1.06 g. of hydrogen fluoride in ml. of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran (1:2) followed by 690 mg. of N-iodosuccinimide. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 17 hours, then poured into 500 ml. of aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The reaction mixture is extracted with methylene chloride and the combined extracts are washed with dilute sodium thiosulfate solution and Water, then is dried over magnesium sulfate. The methylene chloride solution is distilled in vacuo leaving a residue substantially of 6a-methyl-9a-iodo-11B- fluoroandrostane-l75-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 12 9a,] lfi-Dibromoandrostane-Z 7,8-0l-3-0ne 1 7B-Propi0nate As analogously described hereinabove, to a stirred so lution of 9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one 1718-propionate (the compound of Example 5A) in glacial acetic acid is added potassium bromide followed by N-bromoacetamide. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hours at room temperature, then poured into water. A solid separates which is filtered and dissolved in methylene chloride. The solution is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo at room temperature. Hexane is added and the solution concentrated in vacuo at room temperature until crystallization occurs. The mixture is filtered yielding a solid residue substantially of 911,115- dibromoandrostane-17,8-ol-3-one 17fi-propionate.

A. 19-n0r-4,9(11)-andr0stndiene 3,17 dz'0ne.Two grams of l9-nor-4-androstene-11fi-ol-3,17-dione in 20 ml. of dimethylformamide and 2 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 1.60 g. of methanesulfonyl chloride at 0 C. in the manner of Example 2A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give l9-nor-4,9( 1 1 -androstadiene-3,17-dione.

B. 19-n0r-9(11)-zmdr0stene-3,17-di0ne.-According to procedures described in Example 2B, 2 g. of 19-nor- 4,9(1l)-androstadiene-3,17-dione (the compound of Ex ample 13A) in 80 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is first reacted with 600 mg. of lithium dissolved in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia to yield a product substantially of l9-nor- 9(1l)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one which is further reacted with a chromium trioxide-sulfuric acid reagent. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 19-nor-9(11)-androstene-3,l7-dione.

C. 9a,11B-dichl0r0 19 norandrostane 3,17-di0ne.- One gram of 19-nor-9(l1)-androstene-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 13B) and 40 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.8 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 540 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 147 mg. of hydrogen chloride in the manner of Example 918. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9a,1lfi-dichloro-l9-norandrostane-3,17-dione.

10 EXAMPLE 14 A. 606 fluoro 19-n0r 4,9(11) androstadiene 3,17- dione.-Two grams of 6a-iluoro-19-nor-4-androstene-1113- ol-3,17-dione dissolved in 20 ml. of dimethylformamide and 2 ml. of pyridine are allowed to react with 1.60 g. of methanesulfonyl chloride in the manner of Example 2A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-fluoro-19-nor-4,9(l1)- androstadiene-3,17-dione.

B. 6a-flu0r0-19-n0r-9(11) androstene 3,17-di0ne. One gram of 6a-fluoro 19-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene-3,17- dione (the compound of Example 14A) is dissolved in 25 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and reduced with a solution of 300 mg. of lithium in 200 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner described in Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6oz-fl11OIO-19-I10f-9 1 1 -androstene-3,17-dione.

C. 6a-flu0r0-9a,l1fi-dichl0r0 19 norandrostane-3,1 7' dione.-One gram of 6ot-fluoro-19-nor-9(11)-androstene- 3,17-dione dissolved in 35 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.6 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 269 mg. of chlorine and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner described in Example 1 to give 6a-fluoro- :,1 1p-dichloro-l9-norandrostane-3,17-dione.

EXAMPLE 15 6a-Methyl-9a,11,8-Dichloro-19-N0randrostane- 3,17-Di0ne A. 6/5 methyl 19 norandrostane 50,I1fi-di0l-3J7- dione 3,17-bis-ethylene ketaL-A solution of 4 g. of 5a, 6a-epoxy-19-norandrostane llfi-ol 3,17-dione 3,17-bisethylene ketal in 200 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is added to 50 ml. of a stirred solution of 4 molar methyl magnesium bromide in ether under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The reaction mixture is distilled until the vapor temperature reaches 60 C., then is refluxed for 20 hours. The mixture is then cooled to room temperature, 200 ml. of benzene added and the mixture cooled further in an icebath. ml. of water is added dropwise and the liquid phase separated. The organic layer is Washed twice with 100 ml. portions of benzene and the combined extracts are washed with water, 10% ammonium chloride solution and again with water, is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 6,B-methyl-19-norandrostane- 5u,11,B-diol-3,17-dione 3,17-bis-ethylene ketal.

B. 63 methyl 19 norandrostane-SaJ15-di0l-3,17-di- 0ne.2.5 grams of the 6 3-methylandrostane prepared in Example 15A are dissolved in 60 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 20 ml. of Water and heated on a steam bath for 45 minutes. The reaction mixture is then poured into ice-water and sodium bicarbonate (45 g.) is added dropwise with stirring. A solid separates which is filtered, washed with water and dried to give 6 3-methyl-19-norandrostane-S (1,1 1/8-diol-3, 17-dione.

C. 6a-methyl-19-n0r-4-andr0stene-1 l p-ol-fi ,1 7-di0nie.- 65 methyl-19-norandrostane-5a,1lfl-diol-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 15B) is dissolved in 200 ml. of methanol and 40 ml. of 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The solution is refluxed for One hour, then cooled, neutralized with acetic acid and evaporated in vacuo until crystallization begins. The mixture is then chilled, filtered and the residue washed with water and dried to give 6u-methyl-19-nor-4-androstene-1 1B-ol-3,17-dione.

D. 60: methyl -19-n0r-4,9(11)-androstadiene-3,17-di- 0ne.One gram of oa-methyl-l9-nor-4-androstene-115-01- 3,17-dione (the compound of Example 15C) in 10 ml. of dimethylformamide and 1 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 800 mg. of methane sulfonyl chloride in the manner of Example 2A to give 6a-methyl-19-nor-4,9(11)- androstadiene-3,17-dione.

E. 6st methyl 19-n0r-9(11 )-androstene-3,17-di0ne5 Two grams of the 6u-methyl-l9-norandrostane of Example 15D in 70 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 350 ml. of liquid ammonia and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner described in Example 2B to give 6oc-IIl8thYll9-nor-9(11)'androstene-3,17-dione.

F. 61: methyl 9a,]1fi-dichlor0-19-n0randr0stane-3,17- a'z'0ne.-One gram of 6a-methyl-19-nor-9(l1)-androstene- 3,17-dione dissolved in 30 ml. of carbon tetrachloride and 0.6 ml. of pyridine is allowed to react with 294 mg. of chlorine in the manner described in Example 1 to give 6a-methyl-9'a, l 1 ,e-dichloro-19-norandrostane-3, l7-dione.

EXAMPLE 16 9a-Br0m0-11p-Flu0ro-1Q-NOrandrOstane-I 7B-0l-3-one A. 19-n0r-9(11)-androstene-17fi-0l-3-0ne.0ne gram of 19-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene-l7fl-ol-3-one dissolved in 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced by means of a solution of 300 mg. of lithium in 200 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 19-nor-9 (l l -androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one.

B. 904 bromo 11p fluoro-J9-norzmdr0stane-17,8-01-3- ne.0ne gram of 19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3- one (the compound of Example 16A) dissolved in 50 ml. of diethylacetic acid is allowed to react with 550 mg. of N-bromoacetamide and 1.4 g. of hydrogen fluoride in the manner of Example 3. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9a-bromol 1B-fluoro-l9-norandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE l7 9a-Br0mo-1 1fl-Flu0r0-19-Norandrostane-17B-0l-3-0ne J 7 B-Propz'onate A. 19-n0r-9(11)-andr0stene-17/5-ol-3-0ne IKE-propionaze.l9 nor 9(1l)-androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 16A) is allowed to react with propionic anhydride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner described in Example A to give l9-nor-9(l1)-androstene-l7 8-ol-3-one 17,3- propionate.

B. 9a bromo 11,8 fluoro-I 9-norandr0stane-1 7 3-01-3- 17fi-pr0pi0nata-One gram of 19-nor-9(l1)-androstenel7 3-o1-3-one 17fl-propionate (prepared as in Example 17A) is allowed to react with 459 mg. of N-bromoacetamide and 1.16 g. of hydrogen fluoride according to the procedure of Example 3. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 90:- bromo-l lB-fluoro-19-norandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one 17fl-propionate.

Alternatively, 9a bromo-l lfl-fluoro-l9-norandrostanel7 3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 16) is reacted with propionic anhydride and pyridine according to the procedure of Example 5A to give 9u-bromo-1lfi-fluorol9-norandrostane-l7 9-ol-3-one flit-propionate.

Similarly, by substituting other lower alkanoic anhydn'des such as acetic and caproic anhydrides for propionic anhydride in the above procedure, the corresponding 17- lower alkanoates are obtained, i.e. the l7-acetate and 17- caproate respectively of 9a-brom0-l1p-fluoro-19-norandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 18 A. 60: fluoro 19-n0r-4,9(11)-andr0stadiene-17fi-0l-3- 0ne.-To a solution of 200 g. of sucrose in 1.5 l. of tap water contained in a 2 liter Fernbach flask is added 500 mg. of 6cz-fll10r0-19-11OI4,9 l 1) -androstadiene-3,l7-dione.

To the cooled solution 12 mann bakers yeast. The pH of the reaction mixture is adjusted to 4.5-5.0 by the addition of dilute sulfuric acid, the yeast cell mass is dispersed, and mechanical agitation, sufficiently slow to maintain anaerobic conditions, is commenced.

This agitation is continued for 48 hours, and during the first 12 hours the pH of the medium is adjusted hourly of 4.5-5.0 by addition of dilute ammonium hydroxide. Subsequently pH determinations and adjustments are made every 8 hours. At the end of the reaction period the mixture is centrifuged for one hour, and the supernatant liquid is separated. The remaining cell mass is extracted by refluxing for /2 hour with two l-liter portions of methanol. The combined methanolic extracts and supernatant liquid are concentrated in vacuo to about 200 ml. and water (400 ml.) is added. The resulting aqueous solution is now extracted three times with methylene chloride, and the combined methylene chloride extracts are dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crude residue is then extracted three times with boiling diethyl ether, and the combined ethereal extracts are passed through a column of Florisil. The eluates are evaporated and the residue is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 6a-fluoro-l9-nor-4,9(ll)- androstadiene-17 8-ol-3-one. H

B. 60c flu0r0-19-n0r-9U1)androstened7B-0l-3-one.-- Two grams of 6a-fluoro-l9-nor-4,9(ll)-androstadiene- 17 8-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 18A) is dissolved in ml. of tetrahydrofuran and reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of ammonia according to the procedure of Example 4A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-fluoro-l9-nor-9(ll)-androstene-l7;8-ol- S-one.

C. 6a,]lfi difluoro 9a chloro-I9-n0randrostane-17,9- ol-3-0ne.0ne gram of 6a-fluoro-19-nor9(1l)-androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one (prepared as in Example 18B) is allowed to react with 503 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 0.68 g. of hydrogen fluoride in the manner of Example 2C. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a,115-difluoro-9a-chloro-l9- norandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 19 A. 60: fluoro 19 nor-9 (1] )-androstene-17B-ol-3-0ne 1 7fi-pr0pi0nate.6a-fluorol9-nor-9 l l -androstene-l 75- ol-3-one (the compound of Example 18B) is allowed to react with propionic anhydride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner of Example 5A to give 6ot-fluoro-l9-nor-9(l1)-androstene- 17,6-01-3 -one l7fi-propionate.

B. 601,1][3 diflu0r0-9a-chl0r0-19-n0randr0stane-I 73-01- 3-0ne 175-pr0pionale.0ne gram of 60c-fit101'O-19-110r- 9(1l)-androstene-17/S-ol-3 one 17B-propionate (the compound of Example l9A) is allowed to react with 440 mg. or" N-chlorosuccinimide and 0.58 g. of hydrogen fluoride according to the procedure of Example 2C. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a,1lfi-difluoro-9a-chloro-l9-nor-androstane- 17/3-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate.

Alternatively, 6oc,1 lfi-difluoro-9a-chloro-19-norandrostane-l7fl-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 18) is reacted with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner described in Example 5A to give 6oz,11B-difluoro-9achloro-19-norandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one 17,6- propionate.

' Similarly, by substituting other lower alkanoic acid an hydrides such as acetic anhydride and fi-cyclopentylpropionic anhydride for propionic anhydride in the above procedure, the corresponding l7-lower alkanoates are obtained,'i.e. the l7-acetate and l7(fi-cyclopentylpropionate) respectively of 6oc,llB-difiUOiO-9'u-Chl0t'0-l9-i101'- androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one.

' pinate.A solution of 1 g. drostene-l7fi-ol-3-one in 10 ml. of prop-ionic anhydride is refluxed under an atmosphere of nitrogen until esterifica- 13 EXAMPLE 20 A. 60: methyl 19-nor-4,9(11)-andr0stadiene-J7B-0l-3- one.6e-methyl-19-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene 3,17 dione (the compound of Example 15D) is reduced with yeast according to the procedure of Example 18A and the resultant product isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-methyl-19-nor-4,9(1l)-androstadiene- 176-01-3-one.

B. 611 methyl-19-n0r-9(11 )-andr0stene-17[3-0l-3-0ne. Two grams of 6a-methyl-19-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene- 17B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 20A) dissolved in 80 m1. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 2B. The resultant product is iso lated and purified in the described manner to give 611- methyl-19-nor-9( 11)-androstene-17B-o1-3-one.

C. 6a-methyl-9aJ 1 fl-dichloro-J 9-norandr0stane-J 7 [3-01- 3-0ne.-In the manner described in Example 1, one gram of 6a-methyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17,6-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 203) is allowed to react with 585 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6oz- EXAMPLE 21 6a-Melhyl-9a,115-Dichloro-I9-Norandr0stane-1 7B- 01-3-0122 1 7B-A cetate A. 60: methyl 19 nor-9(11)androstene-Z7fl-0l-3-one 17B-acetate.-In a manner similar to that described in Example 5A, 6a-methyl-19-nor9( 1 1 -androstene-1 7,8-01- *ol-3-one 17,6-acetate (the compound of Example 21A) is allowed to react with 455 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6amethyl-9a,1lfi-dichloro-19-norandrcstane-175-o1 3 one H S-acetate.

In a similar fashion, the 17-propionate and 17-valerate of 6amethyl-19-nor-9( 1 1 -androstene-17fl-ol-3-one (prepared as described in Example 21A) may be chlorinated in the above manner to give respectively 6a-methyl-9u,11g3- dichloro-l9-norandrostane-17/3-0l-3-one 17,3 propionate and 6a-methyl-9u,1lfi-dichloro-l9-norandrostane-17fi-ol- 3-one 17B-valerate.

' EXAMPLE 22 9a,] 1 fi-DichloroJ 7u-Methylandr0stane-17,8-ol-3-0ne In the manner described in Example 1, one gram of 17a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one is allowed to react with 259 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 901,1lfl-dichloro-17a-methylandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 23 9a,] 1,8-Dichl0ro-1 7a-Mezhylandrostane-1 7fi-ol-3-one 1 7f3-Pr0pi0nate A. I 7cc-melhyl-9 (11 -andr0s!ene-1 718-0 l-3-0ne 1 7B-pr0- of 17a-methyl-9 1 1 -antion is substantially complete as determined by paper chromatography using dinitrophenylhydrazine as the indicating reagent. The reaction mixture is cooled, poured into water and the aqueous mixture stirred for about 3 hours and then extracted with ether. The ethereal ex tracts are combined, washed with 5% aqueous sodium bi carbonate solution and with water. The Washed solution is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetonehexane to give 17a-methyl9(1l)-androstene-17;3-ol-3-one 1713 propionate.

B. 941,1],3 dichloro-Z 7u-methylandrostane-17,8-0l-3-0ne 175-pr0pi0nate.ln the manner described in Example 9B, 1 g. of 17zx-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-0l-3-one 17(3- propionate (the compound of Example 23A is allowed to react with 408 mg. of N-chlorosuccinirnide and 112 mg. of hydrogen chloride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 911,11,8-dichloro-17u-methylandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one 17;3-propionate.

EXAMPLE 24 A. 6a-flu0r0 17a methyl-9U 1 )-andr0stene-1 7 18-01-3- 0ne.ln the manner described in Example 4A, 2 g. of 6c:- fluoro-17u-methyl-4,9 11 -androstadiene-17,8-ol-3 -one dissolved in ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a-fiuor0-17a-methyl-9'( 11)-androstene-17,Bol-3-one.

B. 6a,]1B-diflu01'0 9a chloro-J 7 u-methylandrostane- 17,8-0l-3-0ne.-ln a manner similar to that described in Example 93, 1 *g. of 6u-fiuoro-17u-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 24A) is allowed to react with 459 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 625 mg. of hydrogen fluoride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 60:,11B-dlflll01O-9a-Chl01d- 17a-methylandrostane-17flol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 25 A. 6a-fluoro-17a-methyl-9(11)andr0stene-175 ol 3- one 17 8-pr0pi0nare.In the manner described in Example 23A, e-fluoro- 17 wmethyl-Q 11 )-androstene-17B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 24A) is reacted with propionic anhydride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a-fiuoro-17a-methyl-9'(11)-a ndrostene 17,8-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

B. 6a,11/i-diflu0r0-9u chl0r0-17m methylandrostane- 17fl-ol-3-0ne -pr0pionate.ln the manner described in Example 2C, 1 g. of 6a-fluoro-17e-methyl-9(11)- androstane-17fi-ol-3-one 17fi-propionate (the compound of Example 25A) is allowed to react with 393 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 530 mg. of hydrogen fluoride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6:1,11fl difluoro 9a chloro 17a methylandrostane- 17B-ol-3'one 17B-propionate.

EXAMPLE 26 6a,] 7a-Dimethyl-9a,1IB-Dichlaroandrostane-I7,8-ol-3-0ne A. 6a,17a-dimethy.l-9(1-1)-andr0stene 17 8-0l-3-one. In the manner described in Example 4A, 2 g. of 6a,17adimethyl-4,9 1 1 -androstadiene-l7fi-ol-3-one dissolved in 70 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 690 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a,17adimethyl-9 11)-androstene-17,8-ol-3-one.

B. 6a,] 7a-dimethyl-9a,1 1 3-dichl0r0andr0stane 175-01- 3-07Z.I11 the manner described in Example 93, 60,17adimethyl-9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 26A) is allowed to react with 466 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 127 mg. of hydrogen chloride and the resultant product isolated an purified in the described manner to give 6e,17a-dimethyl-9a,1lfi-dichloroandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

1 5 EXAMPLE 27 A. 611,170 dimethyl-9(I1)-andr0stene 17,8-l-3-0ne 17B propz'onate. 6a,17a-dimethyl-9(1l)-androstene- 17 3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 26A) is esterified with propionic anhydride according to the procedure described in Example 23A to give 6e,17e-dimethyl-9(ll)- androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one 17/3-propionate.

B. 6a,]7a-dimethyl 9a,]Jfl-rz'ichloroandrostane-J7B-0l- 3-0ne 17,8-pr0pfona2e.0ne gram of 6a,17a-dirnethyl- 9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one l'l'fi-propionat'e (prepared as in Example 27A) is allowed to react with 211 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine in the manner of Example 1. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a,17 x-dimethyl- 9oc,1 lfl-dichloroandrostane-l75-ol-3-one 17fi-propionate.

Alternatively, 6oz 17a dimethyl-9a,1LB-dichloroandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 26B) is reacted with propionic anhydride according to the procedure of Example 23A to give 6a, 17a-dimethyl-9m, 1,8- dichloroandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one 17,13-propionate.

Similarly, by substituting other lower alkanoic anhydrides such as acetic and valeric for propionic in the above procedure, the corresponding 17-lower alkanoate esters are obtained, i.e. the 17-acetate and l7-valerate of 6a,17 x-dim6thy19a,1 lB-dichloroandrostane- 1 75-01-3 -one.

EXAMPLE 28 6 (1,1 7a-Dim ethyl-9x4 Odo-1 1 fi-Fluoroandrostane- 1 7B-ol-3-one 1 7 B-Propionate One gram of 6a,17u-dimethyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol- 3-one 17fl-propionate (the compound of Example 27A) is allowed to react with 715 mg. of N-iodosuccinimide and 102 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in the manner described in Example 11. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a,l7wdimethyl-9eiodo-l 1 fl-fiuoroandrostane-l7;8-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 29 911,1 1 fi-Dichloro-I 7a-MethyZ-1 9-N0randr0stane- 17 8-0l-3-0ne A. 17a-methyl-19-nor-4-androstene 110;,175-511'01 3- one 11a-p-toluenesulfonaze.To a solution of 1 g. of 17mmethyl-l9-nor-4-androstene-1la,17B-diol-3-one in ml. of pyridine is added 1 g. of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. The reaction mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 17 hours and is then poured into 100 ml. of water. A solid separates which is filtered, Washed with water and dried to give 17a-metl1yl-19-nor-4-androstene-l10,l7fidiol-3-one lla-p-toluenesulfonate which is used Without further purification in the following procedure.

0ne.-One gram of the p-toluenesulfonate ester (prepared in Example 29A) and 200 mg. of sodium formate are dissolved in 15 ml. of ethanol and 0.6 mlaof water. The resultant solution is refluxed for 17 hours, cooled, poured into 100 ml. of water and filtered. The residue is washed with water, dried and crystallized from acetone-hexane to yield l7a-methyl-18-nor-4,9(ll)-androstadiene-l7p-ol- 3-one.

C. 17cc methyl-19-n0r-9(11)-andr0szene 175-01-3- orie.A solutionof 2 g. of 17a-methyl-19-nor-4,9(l1)- androstadiene-l7,6-o1-3-one (the compound of Example 293) in 80 m1. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 170:-

methyl-19-nor-9 11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one.

gram of l7a-methyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3one is allowed to react with 260 mg. of chlorine in carbon 15 tetrachloride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified to give :,1lfi-dichloro-Uwmethyl-l9- norandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 30 A. 1 7oa-methyZ-19-n0r-9U1)-andr0srene 17B-0l-3-0ne I7fi-Pr0pi0nate. 17u-methyl-l9-nor-9(11)-androstene- 17fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 293) is esterified with propionic anhydride in the manner of Example 23A to give 17a-methyl-19-nor-9(11)-audrostene-17fi-ol- 3-one 17,8-propionate.

B. 91,] 1 ,8-diclzl0r0-1 7ix-methyl-1 Q-nOrandrOstane-I 7fl-0l- 3-0112 1718 pr0pi0nate.1n the manner described in Example 1, one gram of 17u-methyl-l9-nor-9(11)-androstene- 17,8-ol-one 17fipropionate is allowed to react with 228 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 90:,11/3-dichloro-17a-methyl-19-norandr0stane-l75 ol 3-0ne 173- propionate.

Alternatively, 9a,l l fl-dichloro-l7a-methyl-19-norandrostane-lZB-ol-B-one (the compound of Example 29) is esterified with propionic anhydride in the manner described in Example 23A to give 9a,l1fi-dichloro-17amethyl-l9-norandrostane-17,8-ol-3-one 17fi-pr0pionate.

EXAMPLE 31 A. 60; fluoro 17ec-methyl-19-n0r-9U])-andr0stene- 176 ol-3-0ne.Two grams of 6a-fiuoro-l7a-methyl-l9- nor-4,9(ll)-andr0stadiene 17fl-ol-3-one dissolved in 80 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner of Example 2B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a-fiuoro-l7amethyl-1 9-nor-9 1 1)-androstene-17B-ol-3 -one.

B. 60; fluoro 9a,]lfl dichloro 17cc methyl 19- norandrostane-l 7,B-0l-3-0ne.According to the procedure of Example 1, one gram of 6u-fluoro-l7a-methyl-19-nor- 9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one is allowed to react with 255 mg. of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and pyridine, and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6afluoro 9a,l1fi dichloro 17a methyl-19-norandrostane- 17fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 32 A. 6a-flu0r0-17e-methyl-19 nor 9(11) androstene- I7fi-0l-3-0ne 1 7fl-pr0pi0nate. 6a-fiuor0-17a-methyl-19- nor-9(1l)-androstene-17fi-ol-3one (the compound of Example 31A) is esterii'ied with propionic anhydride and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner described in Example 23A to give 6cz-fiLl0I0-17a-I1lethYll9-nor-9 1 1 -androstene-17;8-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate.

B. 6a-flu0r0-9a,1lfi-dichloro-Ua methyl 19 norandr0stane-17/3-0l-3-one l7,B-propz'onate.0ne gram of 6afluoro-l7a metl1y1-19-nor-9(11)=androstene-l7,B-ol-3 one 175-propiouate is allowed to react with 405 mg. of N- chlorosuccinimide and mg. of hydrogen chloride in the manner of Example 9B, and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6otfiuO1'0-9oc,1LB-diChIOIO- 17a-methy1-19-n0randrostane-l7fi ol-3 one 17,8 propionate.

Alternatively, 6m fiuoro 9a,1l,8-dichloro-17a-methy1 19-norandrostane-17,3-o1-3-one is esterified with propionic anhydride in the manner of Example 23A to give 60: fiUOrO-9a,11fl-diCh10r0-17oc methyl 19 norandrostanee l7fi-ol-3-one 17/3-propionate.

17 EXAMPLE 33 A. 6u-methyl-19-n0r-3,5,9(11) androstatriene 3,17- dione 3,17-dine 3-pyrr0lz'dylenamine.To a refluxing solution of 5 g. of 6a-methyl-l9-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene-3,17-dione in m1. of methanol under an atmosphere of nitrogen there is added 2 ml. of pyrrolidine. The solution is refluxed for 5 minutes, cooled, filtered and the residue dried to give 6a-methyl-19-nor-3,5,9(11)- androstatriene-3,l7-dione 3-pyrrolidylenamine which is used without further purification in the following procedure.

B. 611,1 7a-dim thyl-l9 nor 4,9(11) androstadz'ene- 17;3-0l-3-one.To 16 ml. of a stirred solution of 4 molar methyl magnesium bromide in ether under an atmosphere of nitrogen, there is added dropwise a solution of 5 g. of the pyrrolidylenamine prepared in Example 33A in 80 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is distilled until the vapor temperature reaches 60 C. and then is refluxed for 18 hours. After cooling the reaction mixture in an ice bath, 40 ml. of water is added, followed by ml. of acetic acid and 80 ml. of methanol. The mixture is war-med to dissolve the steroidal material and to the solution there is added 60 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide. The alkaline mixture is then refluxed for minutes, cooled, neutralized with acetic acid and concentrated in vacuo to a residue having a volume of about 10 ml. The methylene chloride solution is washed with 10% hydrochloric acid, then water and evaporated in vacuo. The resultant residue is dissolved in a minimum amount of methylene chloride and chromatographed on Florisil. The fractions eluted with 50-60% ether-in-hexane are combined and concentrated to give 6a,17u-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9(11)-androstadiene-17p-ol 3- one.

C. 6a,]7a-dimezhyl-19-n0r-9(11 )-androstene 17 8 ol- 3-one.--Two grams of 6a,17a-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9(11)- androstadiene-l7B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 33B) is dissolved in 80 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and is reduced with a solution of 600 mg. of lithium in 400 ml. of liquid ammonia in the manner described in Example 23 to give 6a,17a-dimethyl-19-nor-9( 1 1 )-androstene-17fi-ol- 3-one.

D. 6cc,17a-dimethyl-9a,]1fi-dichloro-I9-n0randr0sfane- 17B-ol-3-one. One gram of 60:,17a-di1116thY1-19-[10I- 9(11) androstene-l75-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 330) is allowed to react with 260 mg. of chlorine and the resultant product isolated and purified in the manner described in Example 1 to give 6a,17a-dimethyl- 9oz, 1lfi-dichlorod9-norandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 34 A. 611,] 7a-dimethyl-19 n0r-9U1 -andr0.s tene-17fl-0l-3- one 17B-propionate.ln the manner described in Example 23A 6a,17a-dimethyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17flol-3-0ne (the compound of Example 33C) is esterified with propionic anhydride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a,l7adimethyl-l9-nor-9(11)- androstene-17B-ol-3-one 176-propionate.

B. 6a,17 x-dimethyl-9a,11,8 dichloro 19 norandrostane-17/3-0l-3-0ne 17,8-pr0pi0nate.-In the manner described in Example 9B 1 g. of 6a,17m-dimethyl-19-nor- 9(11)-androstene-l75-ol-3-one 17fl-propionate is allowed to react with 488 mg. of N-chlorosuccinimide and 134 mg. of hydrogen chloride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a,17a-dimethyl-9a,1lfi-dichloro-19-norandrostane-17fl-ol-3-one 17B-propionate.

Alternatively, 6m,17u-dimethyl-9a,1l5-dich1oro-19-norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one is esterified with propionic anhydride in the manner of Example 23A to give 6a,17a-

18 dimethyl-9a,1lp-dichloro-19-norandrostane-l7fl-ol-3 one l7fi-propionate.

EXAMPLE 35 9a-Br0m0-1 1 fi-F luoroandrostane-dJ 7 -Di0ne In the manner described in Example 3B, 1 g. of 9(l1)- androstene-3,l7-dione in 50 ml. of diethylacetic acid is allowed to react with 133 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 5 ml. of a chloroform-tenahydrofuran solution (1:2) and 528 mg. of N-bromoacetamide and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9u-bromo-11,Bfluoroandrostane-3,17-dione.

In a similar manner, 6a,-fluoro-9(11)-androstene-3,17- dione (the compound of Example 213) is reacted with by drogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide in the abovedescribed manner to give 6a,l1,8difluoro-9a-bromo androstane-3,17-dioue.

EXAMPLE 36 6 oc,1 1 5-Diflzt0r0-9a-Bromoandrostane-I 7 19-01-51 -one 1 7 B-Propionate In the manner described in Example 35, 1 g. of 6a:- fluoro-9 l1 )-androstene-17fi-ol-3-one 17fl-propionate (the compound of Example 8A) is reacted with mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 4.8 ml. of chloroformtetrahydrofuran solution 1:2) and 416 mg. of N-bromoacetamide, and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 611,11 8-difluoro-h-bromoandrostane-1713-01 3 one 175- propionate.

Similarly, 9(11)-androstene-17-ol 3 one 175 propionate (the compound of Example 5A) and Gil-H'lflthYl- 9(11)-androstene-l7fiol-3-one 17fi-propiouate (the compound of Example 10A) are reacted with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide in the above-described manner to yield respectively 9a-br0mo-1 lfi fiuoroandrostane 17B ol 3-one 17/3-propionate and 6a-methyl-9abromo-l 1B-fluoroandrostane-17/3-ol-3-one l7/3-propionate.

EXAMPLE 37 6 (1,1 7a-Dimerhyl-9u-Brom0-1 1 fl-Fluoroandrostane- 1 7B-0l-3-one According to the procedure of Example 3B, 1 g. of 6u,17adimethyl-9( 11 -androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 26A) is allowed to react with mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 5 ml. of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran solution (1:2) and 416 mg. of N-bromoacetamide and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a,17 x dimethyl 90c bromo-l lfl-fluoroandrostane-UB- ol-3-one.

Similarly, 17a-methyl 9(11) androstene-l-7fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 29C) and 6m-fiuoro-l7umethyl-9(11)-androstene-17[3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 31A) are reacted with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide according to the above-described procedure to give respectively 9a-bromo 11,8 fluoro-17amethylandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one and 604,115 difluoro 90cbromo-l7u-methylandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 38 6a,17a dimethyl-9a-brornol lfi-fluoroandrostane-UB- ol-3-one (the compound of Example 37) is reacted with propionic anhydride and pyridine in the manner of Example 5A, and the resultant product isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6a,170c-d.im6thyl-9uzbromo-l lfi-fluoroandrostane-l7B-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate.

Similarly, 90a bromo-llfi-fluoro-17a-methy1androstane- 17,8-01-3-one and 6a,1lfi difluoro-M-bromo-l7a-methylandrostane-17fi3-0l-3-one (prepared in the manner described in Example 37) are reacted with propionic anhydride and pyridine to yield respectively 9a-bromo-11B- fluoro-l7a-methylandrostane-l7fl-ol-3-one 17 3-propionate and 641,1 1;.8-difluoro-9u-bromo-17a-methylandrostane-17/3- ol-3-one 17 S propionate.

By substituting other acid anhydrides such as acetic or cyclopentylpropionic for propionic anhydride in the above procedure, the corresponding 17-acetate and l7(,B-cyclopentylpropionate) are obtained, respectively of 6a,17udimethy1-9a-bromo llfl fiuoroandrostanel7f3-ol-3-one, 9a bromo-ll/R-fluoro 17a methylandrostane-l7B-ol-3- one and 6a,l1B-difiuoro-9a-bromo-17a-methylandrostanel7B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 3,9 9a-Br0m0-11/3-FIu0r0-1 7a-Methyl-19-N5randr0stane- 1 7 5-01-3 -one In the manner described in Example 33, 1 g. of 17amethyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-175-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 298) is allowed to react with 132 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 5.3 ml. of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran mixture (1:2) and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9a-bromo-1lfi-fiuoro-17a-methyl-19- norandrostane-l7B-ol-3-one.

In similar manner, 6a,l7a-dimethyl 19 nor-9(11)- androstene-17fi-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 33C) and 6a fiuoro-17a-methyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-17B- ol-3-one (the compound of example 31A) are allowed to react with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide according to the above-described procedure to yield respectively 6a,l7a-dimethyl-9a-bromo-l 1 fi-fiuoro-19-norandrostane-l7 8 o1 3 one and 6a,11B-difluoro-9u-bromo-17amethyl-19-norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 40 In the manner described in Example 5A, 9a-bromo- 11B fluoro-lh-methyl 19 norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 39) is reacted with propionic anhydride in pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9a-bromo-l1B-fluoro-17a-methyl-19- norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one 17,3-propionate.

Similarly, 6a,17a-dimethyl 9oz bromo-llfidiuoro-IQ- norandrostane 17,8 ol 3 one and 6a,11fi-difluor09abromo-17e -methyl 19 norandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one (prepared as described in Example 39) are esterified by means of propionic anhydride in pyridine to yield respectively 601,170 dimethyl-9a-bromo-1 1,8-fluoro-l9-norandrostane- 17/3 ol 3 one 17B-propionate and 6a,11fldifluoro-9ubromo 17a methyl-l9-norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one 1718- propionate.

EXAMPLE 41 A. 6a-fluoro 9(11) androszene-l7 3-0l-3-0ne.-One gram of 6atluoro-9(11 )-androstene-l7/3-o1-3-one l7fl-propionate (the compound of Example 8A) is dissolved in 19.5 ml. of methanol and there is added 0.5 ml. of 72% aqueous perchloric acid. The reaction solution is left overnight at room temperature, then poured into water.

A solid results which is filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from acetone-hexane to give a-fiuoro- 9 1 1 )-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one.

B. 604,113 dz'fluoro 9oz bromoandrostane-J7,9-0l-3- 0ne.-In the manner described in Example 313, 6a-fluoro- 9(1l)-androstene-l7/3-ol-3-one (prepared as described in Example 41A) is reacted with hydrogen fluoride and N- bromoacetamide, and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 6a,1l,B-difluoro-9a-bromoandrostane-17eol-3-one.

Alternatively, 6oc,1 1B-difluoro-9a-bromoandrostane-l7B- ol-3-one 17fl-propionate (the compound of Example 36) is reacted with aqueous perchloric acid in methanol according to the procedure of Example 41A to give 6a,11;3-

difluoro-9a-bromoandrostane17}8-ol-3-one.

,In similar manner, the compounds having an esterified 17-hydroxyl group which were prepared in the preced- 20 ing examples such as 9m-chloro-1lfi-fluoroandrostane-Npol-3-one l7fl-propionate (the compound of Example 5) and 60a methyl 9a,1lfi-dichloroandrostane-l7,B-ol-3-one 17fi-propionate (the compound of Example 10) when hydrolyzed according to the procedure of Example 41A are converted to the corresponding 17-hydroxyl compound such as 9a-chloro-llB-fluoroandrostane-l7 8-01-3- one and 60: methyl-91x1'lfl-dichloroandrostane-175-01-3- one, respectively.

EXAMPLE 42 9a,] 1 8-Difluoroandrostane-3 ,1 7 -D ione A solution of 1 g. of 9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione in a mixture of 20 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 30 ml. of chloroform containing 630 mg. of finely-powdered lead dioxide is chilled in 20 C. There is then added dropwise with vigorous stirring a solution of 680 mg. of hydrogen fluoride in 5 ml. of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran. The mixture is stirred in the cold for 5 hours, then diluted with water and made basic by the addition of sodium carbonate. Stirring is continued for 15 minutes, then the organic layer is separated and evaporated to a residue which is chromatographed on magnesium silicate. The material eluted with 60% ether-in-hexane to 100% ether is combined and crystallized from acetone-hexane to give :,1 16-difluoroandrostane-3, 17 -dione.

In similar manner, 6a-fiu0ro-9(11)-androstene-3,17- dione and 6a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3,l7-dione are reacted with lead dioxide and hydrogen fluoride according to the above procedure and the resultant product isolated and purified in the described manner to give respectively, 6a,9a,1IB-trifluoroandrostanefi,17-dione and 6a-methyl- 901.,1lfl-difiuOrOEtflClI'OStZlHE-3,17-(1101'16.

EXAMPLE 43 A. 9oc-flll0i0 17a methylandrosmne-I 1 (1,1 7fi-diol 3- 0ne.A solution of 5 g. of 9a-flu0ro-17a-methyl-4-androstene-17B-ol-3,l1-dione in 200 ml. of tetrahydrofuran is added to a stirred solution of 2 g. of lithium in 800 ml. of liquid ammonia. The excess lithium is then destroyed by the addition of solid ammonium chloride and the ammonia is allowed to evaporate at room temperature. Water is added to the resultant residue and the mixture extracted with ether. The ether extracts are combined, washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 9a-fluoro-l7oc-methylandro stane-l1b 17B-diol-3-one.

B. 9a-fluoro-17a-methylandrostane 11u,17}8-di0l-3-one 11a-mezhanesulfonate.--One gram of 9a-flL1OIO- 17amethylandrostane-l1a,17fi-diol-3-0ne (the compound of Example 43A) is dissolved in 10 ml. of pyridine and 1 ml. of methanesulfonyl chloride is added. The mixture is kept at room temperature for 18 hours, then poured into ml. of water. A solid separates which is filtered, washed with water, dried and crystallized from acetonehexane to give 9a-fluoro-17a-methylandrostane-1111,175- diol-3-one lla-methanesulfonate. V

C. 9a-flu0r0-11fi-chl0r0-17a methylandrostane-l 713-0!- 3-oi1e.--To 500 mg. of 9u-fluoro-17a-methylandrostane- 1la,17p-diol-3-one (the compound of Example 43B) is added 10 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide containing 2. g. of lithium chloride. The reaction mixture is stirred at 60 C. for 18 hours, then poured in water. A solid separates which is filtered, washed with water and dried to give substantially 9u-fluoro-1IB-chloro-17a-methylandrostane- 17B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 44 9a-Br0m0-1J/3-Flu0ro-1iur-Ethyl-l 9-Norandr0stane- 1 7-0l-3-0ne A. 60: methyl-IQ-nor-Q(11.)-andr0stene-3,I7 a'ione 3 Py o y am aT a reflu ng sq ut qn of 5 of 21 6a-rnethyl-19-nor-9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 15E) in 20 ml. of methanol under an atomsphere of nitrogen there is added 2 m1. of pyrrolidine. The solution is refluxed for 5 minutes, then cooled and filtered. The residue is dried to give 6a-methyl-19- nor 9(1l)-androstene-3,17-dione 3-pyrrolidylenamine, which is used without further purification in the following procedure.

B. 6a-methyl-17a-elhyl-19-n0r 9(11 -andrstene-17fiol-3-one.To 60 ml. of a stirred solution of 4 molar ethyl magnesium bromide in ether under an atmosphere of nitrogen there is added dropwise a solution of 5 g. of 60amethyl-19-nor-9 1 1 -androstene-3,17-dione-3 -pyrrolodylenamine (the compound of Example 44A) in 80 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is distilled until the vapor temperature reaches 60 C. then is refluxed for 18 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled and 40 ml. of water added followed by 25 ml. of acetic acid and 80 ml. of methanol. The mixture is heated until solution is efiected then 60 ml. of aqueous sodium hydroxide is added and refluxed for 30 minutes. After cooling the reaction mixture is neutralized with acetic acid and concentrated in vacuo to a residue having a small volume. The residue is extracted with methylene chloride and the extracts are washed with 10% hydrochloric acid then water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is chromatographed on Florisil. The substance eluted with 5060% ethcr-in-hexane yields 6a-methyl 17a-ethyl-l9-nor-9(1l)-androstcne-l7;9-ol-3- one.

C. 9a bromo-I IB-fluoro 17a-ethyl-19-norandrostane- 175-0l-3-0ne.-According to the procedure of Example 3B, 1 g. of 6a-methyl-17u-ethyl-19-nor-9(1l)-androstenel7 8-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 44B) is allowed to react with hydrogen fluoride in chloroform-tetrahydrofuran solution (1:2) and 'N-bromacetamide and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9a-brorno- 1 l ,S-fluoro- 17a-ethyl- 19-norandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 45 9a-Br0m0-115-Flu0r0-19-Noranrlrostztne-3J 7-Dion'e According to the procedure of Example 313, 1 g. of 19- nor-9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 13B) in diethylacetic acid is reacted with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9a-bromo-11B-fiuoro-19- norandrostane-3,17-dione.

Similarly, 6afll101'O-19 nor 9(11) androstene 3,17- dione (the compound of Example 14A) and Got-methyl- 19-nor-9(1l)-androstene-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 15E) is allowed to react with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide to yield respectively 6e,1l}3difluoro 9oz bromo-l9-norandrostane 3,17-dione and 6amethyl 9a-bromo-l113-fluoro-19-norandrostane 3,17- dione.

EXAMPLE 46 9u-Bromo-11fi-Ch loro-l 9-N0randrostane-1 7fi-0l-3-0ne In the manner of Example 6, 1 g. of 19-nor-9(1l)-androstene-17/3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 16A) in acetic acid is allowed to react with lithium chloride, N-bromoacetamide and hydrogen chloride. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9u-bromo-1lfi-chloro-19-norandrostane-1713-01-3- one.

Similarly, 6oz-fill010- 19-nor-9 1 1 -androstene-17B-ol-3- one (the compound of Example 188) and 6a-methyl-l9- nor-9(1l)-androstene-l7fi-ol-3-one are reacted with lithium chloride, N-bromoacetamide and hydrogen chloride in the manner described above to give respectively 60:- fluoro 9a-bromo-1lfl-chloro-19-norandrostane-175-01-3- one and 6u-methyl-9a bromo-11B-chloro-19 norandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

22 EXAMPLE 47 9u-Br0m0-1 1p-Chloro-l9-Norandrostane-1 7 3-0l-3-0ne 1 7fl-Propionate One gram of l9-nor-9(11)-androstene-l7B-ol-3-one 17B-propionate (the compound of Example 17A) is allowed to react with N-bromoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride in acetic acid according to the procedure of Example 6. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9ozbromo lIB-chloro-19-norandrostane-17,3-ol-3-one 17B- propionate.

In a similar manner, 6a-fluoro-19-nor-9(1l)-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate (the compound of Example 19A) and 6a-methyl-19-nor-9(l1)-androstene- 17,B-ol-3-one 17,3-propionate (the compound of Example 21A) are allowed to react with N-brornoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride according to the above procedure to give respectively 6a-fluoro-9a-bromol 1,B-chloro-19-norandrostanel7/3-ol-3-one 17B-propionate and 6umethyl-9e-brorno-l lfi-chloro-l9 norandrostane- 175-ol-3-one 1718-propionate.

Alternatively, 1 g. of 9a-brorno-l1B-chloro-19-noranv drostane-17/3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 46) is allowed to react with propionic anhydride in pyridine and the resultant product isolated and purified according to the procedure described in Example 5 to give 9a-bromollfi-chloro 19-norandrostane 17B-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 48 One gram of 6a-fluoro-17u-methyl-9(ll)-androstene- 17/3-ol-3-one l7/3-propionate (the compound of Example 24A) in carbon tetrachloride and in the presence of pyridine is allowed to react with chlorine according to the procedure of Example 1. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 6afluoro 9a,11,8 dichloro-l7a-methylandrostane-175-01-3- one l7 8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 49 Qa-Bromo-J Ifl-Chloro-l 7u-Melhylandrostane- 1 75-01-3 -one 1 7fl-Propionate l7a-Methyl-9( l l -androstene-17 8-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 23A) is allowed to react with N- bromoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride in acetic acid according to the procedure of Example 6. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9e-bromo-1lfi-chloro-lh-methylandrostane-l75-ol-3-one flit-propionate.

In a similar manner, 6a-fluoro-l7a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17B-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate (the compound of Example 25A) and 6a,17-dimethyl-9(11)-androstenel7,8-ol-3-one l7B-propionate (the compound of Example 27A) are reacted with N-bromoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride in glacial acetic acid according to the above procedure to yield respectively 6afluoro-9a-bromo 11,3 chloro 17a methyl-androstane- 17fi-ol-3-one 17B-propionate and 6a,17oc-dimethyl-9ocbromo-l lfi-chloroandrostane-17/3-ol-3-one 17,8-propionate.

EXAMPLE 50 9u-Bromo-1 1 ,B-Ch Zora-'1 7a-Methylandr0stane- 1 7 3-0l-3-one 17a-Methy1-9(11)-androstene-17fl-ol-3-one is allowed to react with N-bromoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride in glacial acetic acid according to the procedure of Example 6. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give bromo-l lB-chloro-l7a-methylandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

Similarly, 6u-fluoro-17a-methyl-9( 1 1 )-androstene-17;8- ol-3-one (the compound of Example 24A) and 611,171 dimethyl-9( 1 1 )-androstene-17 3-ol-3-one (the compound of Example 26A) are reacted with N-bromoacetamide, hydrogen chloride and lithium chloride according to the above described procedure to yield respectively Ga-fiuoro- 9a-bromo 11,3 chloro-17a-methylandrostane-17 8-01-3- one and 60:,17a-di1116tl1Y1-9a-bI'OII10-llfi-ChlOrOfiDdIOSiBnfi- 17B-ol-3-one. 7

Alternatively, 9a-bromo-1lfl-chloro-17a-methylandrostane-17fl-ol3-one 17fi-propionate, 6u-fiuoro-9a-bromo- 11,3 chloro-l7a-methylandrostane-17fi-o1-3-one 17,8-propionate, and 6a, 17a-dirnethyl-9a-bromo-1 1 fi-chloroandrostane-17fi-ol-3-one l7fi-propionate (prepared as described in Example 49) are hydrolyzed by means of methanolic perchloric acid according to the procedure of Example 41A to give respectively, 9a-br01'n0 llfi-ChlOIO-l7amethylandrostane-l7fi-ol-3-one, 6zx-fl1l0I'O-9oz-bf0HIO-llfichloro-17a-methylandrostane-17B-0l-3-one, and 6a,l7a-di methyi-9a-bromo-1 1 B-chloroandrostane-175-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 5 1 90:,1 1 3-D r'chloro-I 6 u-M eihylandrstane-3 ,1 7 -Di0ne A. 16a methyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-17a,21-di0l-3,20- dione.The requisite intermediate, 16a-methyl-4,9(11)- pregnadiene-17m21-diol-3,20-dione 21-acetate is prepared from l6-pregnene-3a-ol-l1,20-dione in the manner described in copending application Serial No. 733,843 of Rausser et al., filed May 8, 1958.

A mixture of 0.5 g. of 16a-methyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene- 17a,21-diol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate in 100 m1. of methanol in 20 ml. of chloroform, 5 ml. of water and 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is allowed to stand for 48 hours at room temperature. Water is then added and the mixture extracted with methylene chloride. The organic extracts are washed with water, dried and concentrated to a residue which is crystallized from acetone to give 16a-methyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,20-di one.

in similar fashion, l6fl-methy1-4,9(11)-pregnadienel7a,21-diol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate (prepared as described in copending application Serial No. 733,843 of Rausser et al., filed May 8, 1958) is hydrolyzed to 16,8-methyl- 4,9(11)-pregnadiene-17a,21-dio1-3,20-dione.

B. 16a-methyl-4,9 (11 -androstadiene-3,17-di0ne.0ne gram of 16a-methyl 4,9(11) pregnadiene-17a,21-diol- 3,20-d-ione (the compound of Example 51A) is dissolved in 800 ml. of 50% aqueous acetic acid and there is. added 18 g. of sodium bismuthate. The suspension is stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is filtered and methylene chloride added to the filtrate. Water is also added to the filtrate and the organic phase is separated, washed first with water, then with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with water. The methylene chloride solution is then dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo to a residue which is crystallized from methylene chloride-hexane to give 16a-methyl-4,9(11)-androstadiene- 3,17dione.

In similar manner, 16B-methyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene- 17a,21-diol-3,20-dione is allowed to react with sodium bismuthate in aqueous acetic acid to give 16fl-rnethyl- 4,9( 11)-androstadiene-3,17-dione.

C. 16a methyl 9(11) andr0stene-3,17-dione.Two

grams of 16d-rnethyl-4,9(11)-androstadiene 3,17 dione' one.'- ln the manner described in Example 1, one gram of 16a-methyl-9(1 l a,ndrosteue-3,17-dione (the compound of Example 510) is reacted with chlorine in carbon tetrachloride in the presence of pyridine and the resultantproduct isolated and purified to give 9a,11,3-dichloro-16a-- methylandrostane-3,17-dione.

EXAMPLE 52 9a-Bromo-1 1 ,B-Fluoro-J 6 ,B-M thy ldndrostane-j ,1 7-D ione One gram of 16B-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3,17-dicne (prepared as described in Example 51C) is reacted with hydrogen fluoride and N-bromoacetamide according to the procedure of Example 3B. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 9abromo-l 1,d-fluoro-16fl-methylandrostane-3,17-dione.

in similar manner, 16a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3,17 dione (the compound of Example 51C) is reacted with N-bromoacetamide and hydrogen fluoride to give 911- bromo-l 1 B-iiuoro-16rz-methylandrostane-3,17-dione.

EXAMPLE 53 A. Ilia-methyl 9(11) androstene-J 7 fl-ol-3-0ne.5 00' mg. of 16a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione (the com-- pound of Example 52C) is subjected to the action of bakers yeast in the manner described in Example 18A. The resultant product is isolated and purified in the described manner to give 16a-methyl-9(11)-androstenel7 3-ol-3-one. V

in similar fashion, l6p-methyl-9(11)-androstene-3,17- dione is subjected to the action of bakers yeast to yield l6,3-rnethyl-9( 11 -androstene-17fl-ol-3-one.

B. 9u-bromo-11p-flu0r0-16u methylandrostane-l 719-01 3-one.According to the procedure of Example 33, 1 g. of 16a-methyl-9(11)-androstene-17fi-ol-3one (the compound of Example 53A) is allowed to react with N- bromoacetamide and hydrogen fluoride and the resultant product isolated and purified to give 9aromo-llB- fluoro-16a-rnethylandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

In similar fashion, 16,8-met-hyl-9(11)-androstene-17flol-3-one is reacted with N-brornoacetamide and hydrogen fluoride to give 9m-bromo-1lfi-fluoro-l6 3-methylandrostane-17B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 54 9a,] 1 S-Dich Zora-1 6,8-Methylandrostane-1 7 fi-ol-3 -0ne 16 8 rnethyl-9(11)-androstene-17,B-ol3-0ne (prepared as described in Example 53A) is reacted with chlorine in carbon tetrachloride and in the presence of pyridine in the manner described in Example 1 to give 911,115- dichloro-16B-methylandrostane-17,B-ol-3-one.

EXAMPLE 5 5 9a-Br0m0-1 1 ,B-Clzloro-I 7aEthy landrosmned 7 ,8-0l-3 -one A. 9(11 )-rmdrostene-3,1 7-di0ne 3-pyrr0lidylendmine. In the manner described in Example 44A, 9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione is reacted with pyrrolidine in methanol to give 9(11)-androstene-3,17-dione 3-pyrrolidylenamine.

, 8. 1 7OL-thyl9(11 )-andr0stene-175-0l-3-0ne. 9(11)- androstene-3,17-dione 3-pyrrolidylenamine (the compound of Example 55A) is reacted with ethyl magnesium bromide in ether according to the procedure of Example We claim:

1. A compound selected from the group consisting of 90,11;?dihalogeno-androstanes and the 19-nor analogs thereof, said 9a,1lfl-dihalogenoandrostanes having the following formula:

gen and an acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic 25 acid containing up to eight carbon atoms.

2. 9a-X-11fi-Y-17u methylandrostane 17,8 ol-3-one wherein X-and Y are halogen.

3. 6mfi11OI'0-9aX-11B 17 a methylandrostane 17;?- ol-3-one wherein X and Y are halogen.

4. 6a,17rz-dimethyl-9a-X-1lfi-Y-androstane 17,8 ol- 3-one wherein X and Y are hologen.

5. Qa-X-llfi- -androstane-17fi-ol-one wherein X and Y are halogen.

6. 6a-fluoro 9a X 11fi-Y-androstane-17,8-01-3-one wherein X and Y are halogen.

7. 6(1-1116ll1Yl 9a X 1IB-Y-androstane-Ufl-ol-B-one wherein X and Y are halogen.

8. 9u-X-11p-Y-androstane-17B-ol-3-one 17fi-lower alkanoate wherein X and Y are halogen.

9. 6cc-fl1lO10-9a-X-l1fi-Y-andr0St3.11"-175-013-0116 17B lower alkanoate wherein X and Y are halogen.

10. 6a-methyl-9u-X-1lfi-Y-androstane 175 ol-3-one 17B-lower alkanoate wherein X and Y are halogen.

1 1. 904,11fl-dichloroandrostane-17,6-ol-3-one.

12. 6a,11B-difluoro-9a-bromoandrostane-17f3-ol-3-one.

13. 6a-methyl-9a bromo 11p floroandrostane-UB- ol-3-one.

14. 9oc-bIOH'10-1 1 fi-chloroandrostane-17 3-o1-3-one 17B- propionate.

15. 6a,11,8-ciifluoro-9a-bromoandrostane 17B ol 3- one 17B-propionate.

16. 6a-methyl-9a-bromo-11fl fluoroandrostane 17 pol-3-one 17p5 propionate.

17. 9a,11fi-dichloro-l7u-methylandrostane-17,8 ol 3- one.

18. 60:,11fi-difiuOrO-9a-br0mO-17a methylandrostane- 17B-o1-3-one.

20. 9a-bromo-1lfl-fluoro-16-methylandrostane 17 3-3- 30 one.

No references cited. 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 9A,11B-DIHALOGENO-ANDROSTANES AND THE 19-NOR ANALOGS THEREOF, SAID 9A,11B-DIHALOGENOANDROSTANES HAVING THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 